Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame

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The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame, or the OBMHoF, is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 to celebrate, document and honour the legacy of the many top vocalists and musicians whose musical careers began in the metropolitan area of Omaha, Nebraska. [1] It has a particular focus on African American music from North Omaha, and is committed to honoring Omaha's blues tradition from the 1920s to the present day. The OBMHoF holds induction ceremonies every two years that highlight, but are not limited to, classical, rhythm & blues, big band, jazz and gospel music. [2]

Contents

About

Vaughn Chatman, a former Omaha rhythm-and-blues player and attorney in Sacramento, California, formed the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2005. According to one local newspaper, the Hall of Fame was formed to acknowledge Omaha's own musicians. "Enough Omaha artists have impacted the industry to rival the legacy from historical music hotbeds like Kansas City, Mo. The contributions of these Omaha-bred-and-born may add up to one of black music’s largest untold stories." [3] Omaha's significance has been better known as a venue for nationally popular African American jazz, blues and rock greats, many of whom performed at the Dreamland Ballroom.

Ceremonies

The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame hold ceremonies every two years to coincide with the bi-annual Native Omaha Days event, which draws thousands to the Near North Omaha neighborhood to celebrate the history of the African American community in Omaha. It's ceremonies have different locations, and there are varying numbers of inductees every biennium.

2005

The first inductions to the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame were in 2005. The induction ceremony was held on 4 August 2005 at Harrah's Casino in neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa. There were 40 inductees: [4]

2007

The 2007 Omaha Black Music Hall Of Fame inductions ceremony was held at Qwest Center, Omaha. [5] Other musical awards were made in the Gospel/Civic/Sports Awards Ceremony, and the Blues/Classical/Jazz/R&B Awards Ceremony.

"The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame inductees are inspirational community leaders, exceptional musicians and vocalists, including gospel pioneers who left their mark on the civic and music scene. This includes top civic leaders, musicians and vocalists who started in Omaha and moved on to other cities to pursue professional and music careers." [6]

In 2007 there were 67 total inductees into the Hall, including 23 who were deceased and 54 living. They represented a variety of music genres and connections to Omaha's Black music community. The categories included gospel, R&B, Jazz, Rock & Roll and Classical music.

2011

The 2011 inductions to the Omaha's Black Music Hall of Fame were held on July 29, 2011 at the Slowdown in Omaha, Nebraska. MAN vs MAN Band's historic performance at the awards ceremony celebrated a 40-year concert reunion. Other artist performing at the event included: Maxayn, Ahnjel, Sam Singleton, and Hank Redd Jr. The 2011 inductees to the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame were: Hank Redd Jr., Jeanne Rogers, Charles "Chuck" Miller, Red Higgins, Bertha Myers, Adrienne Higgins Brown-Norman, Preston Love, Sam Singleton, Maxayn Lewis, MAN vs MAN Band: Walter McKinney, Len Harris M.D., Donald Harris, Kevin Harris, Glenn Franklin, Lonzo Franklin, Melvin Hall, Leroi Brashears, & Nils Anders Erickson; The New Breed of Soul Band and Andre Davis. web page. [7] [8]

Recipients

InducteeBornDiedActive fromMajor Skill(s)OBMHoF profileNotes
Lester Abrams 19451960sdrummer, vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer [9]
Wali Ali 1970sGuitarist, singer [10]
Donnie Beck 19511970sDrummer, bass guitar, organ, piano, singer, composer, arranger [a]
Ron E. Beck 19511970sDrummer, singer, composer [a] [11]
Larry Bell 194120041960sGuitar, piano, drums, saxophone [b]
Percy Le'Roy Chatman 19901950sSinger [c]
Wesley Devereaux 1950sSinger [d]
Joe Leslie Edmonson 194720021960sOrganist [e]
Glenn Franklin 1970'sDrummer, Percussionist, Vocalist 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
Lonzo Franklin 20091970'sVocalist, Songwriter 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
King Richard Gardner 193220161950sGuitar [f]
Vernon Garrett 1960sSinger
Melvin Hall. 1970'sBass Guitar, Acoustic Bass, Vocalist 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
Donald Harris.1970'sTenor, Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
Kevin Harris. 1970'sTrombone, Vocalist, Drummer, Songwriter 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
Len Harris. 1960sKeyboardist, Organist, Songwriter, Producer, Recording Engineer Recording profile aka "The Duke" , also known for his Perfect Pitch note recognition abilities. 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
Wynonie Harris, aka "Mr. Blues"192019691940sSinger
Lloyd Hunter 19611920sTrumpeter, Band Leader
Stemsy Hunter (Stemziel Hunter)1960sSaxophone
Sylvester (Syl) Johnson (deceased)19481970sSinger
Helen Jones Woods 19251940sTrombone
Calvin Keys 19421960sjazz guitarist
Michael Andre Lewis 1960sSinger, keyboards, synthesizers, band leader, composer, producer
Merle Lewis 1970sSinger [g]
Victor Lewis 19501960sDrummer
Preston Love 192120041940sAlto sax, Band Leader
Arno Lucas 1970sSinger, songwriter
Eugene "Booker" McDaniels 1950sSongwriter, producer
Walter McKinney 1960'sGuitarist, Songwriter, Vocalist, Studio Musician 2011 Inductee OBMHoF; Performed and recorded with many artists including Rose Royce
Lois “Lady Mac” McMorris 1970sLead guitar, rhythm guitar, upright bass, electric bass, keyboards, drum programmer, arranger, vocalist, composer [h]
Ernest "Curly" Martin 1960sDrummer/percussionist [12]
Buddy Miles (George Miles)194520081960sDrums, vocals, band leader [13]
Professor Charles Miller 1970sTrumpeter, conductor [i]
Ruth Norman 1950sComposer, pianist
Mason Prince 1950sTrumpet
Billy Rich 1950sElectric Bass Guitar [j] [14]
Carolyn Rich 1960sVocalist [j]
Herbie Rich 20041950sKeyboards, saxophone, singer [j]
Billy Rogers195019871970sGuitarist
Carol Jean Rogers 19541970sSinger [a]
Jeanne Rogers 19341960sPianist, singer [a]
Keith Rogers 19541980sProducer [a]
Sam Singleton. 19431960sPromoter, Producer, Vocalist 2011 Inductee OBMHoF
Leslie Orlando Smith 19491970sSinger
Steppen Stonz 19721970sThree vocalists supported by two musicians (drums and keyboards) [15]
Luigi Waites 1950spercussionist
Lalomie (Lomie) Washburn 20041960sSinger, songwriter
Richetta (Lewis) Wilson 1950sSinger

During the ceremony the Steppen Stonz were also awarded a "Showcase Legend Award". [16]


See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jeanne Rogers is mother of twins Carol and Keith Rogers, and twins Donnie and Ron E. Beck.
  2. ↑ Larry Bell also had a degree in Tailoring and designed many of his bands' costumes.
  3. ↑ Percy Chatman, also known as "Mr. Omaha", was the brother of Vaughn Chatman who formed the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
  4. ↑ Wesley Devereaux is the son of Wynonie Harris
  5. ↑ "Lil" Joe Edmonson was known for his philanthropic accomplishments with his youth foundation.
  6. ↑ Richard Gardner owned four barbershops in Omaha for 46 years. They were well known as a meeting place for aspiring musicians.
  7. ↑ For a period, Merle Lewis used the stage name "Dianna St. Clair"
  8. ↑ "Lady Mac" is also an award-winning painter & sculptor, a graphic artist/designer, a poet and author, clairvoyant, a natural healer, and an ordained minister.
  9. ↑ Professor Miller also has a distinguished career as an educator, academic and author.
  10. 1 2 3 Billy, Carolyn and Herbie Rich are siblings.

References

  1. ↑ (2005) "Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame." The Blues Society of Omaha. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
  2. ↑ (2005) About the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
  3. ↑ (2005) "A Rich Music History Long Untold",The Omaha Reader, 3 Sept 2005.
  4. ↑ OBMHoF 2005 Inductees web page.
  5. ↑ Qwest Center Omaha.
  6. ↑ OBMHoF 2007 Inductees web page.
  7. ↑ "File:Man vs Man Hall of Fame 2011.JPG - Wikimedia Commons". Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  8. ↑ "File:Man vs Man Historic Roots.JPG - Wikimedia Commons". Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  9. ↑ Official Lester Abrams web site Archived 2007-06-02 at the Wayback Machine . Bring it on Archived 2007-07-08 at the Wayback Machine .
  10. ↑ Official Wali Ali web site. Not accessible 1 July 2007.
  11. ↑ Official Ron E. Beck web site. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  12. ↑ (nd) "Curly" Martin receives award. JazzPolice.com. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  13. ↑ "Buddy Miles - Band Merch, Merchandise, Music". Miles Per Gallon records. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  14. ↑ Official Billy Rich web site. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  15. ↑ Official Steppen Stonz web site. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  16. ↑ (2005) Awards Steppen Stonz website. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
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